Pashinyan has pushed for an early vote to be held in recent months, in an attempt to unseat his rivals who maintain a majority in parliament.

Early elections are held if legislators fail to appoint a new prime minister and Pashinyan persuaded his opponents not to nominate any candidates.

Earlier this month, he led thousands of his supporters to besiege parliament to pressure his foes to accept an early vote.

On October 10, Pashinyan told broadcaster France 24 that "early elections should be held around December 9 or 10, give or take a day. It will be in that timeframe so I will have to tender my resignation by October 16."

Armenia has not held parliamentary elections since Pashinyan took office in May and he has said the parliament's composition does not reflect the country's political reality.